It was on October 5, 1978, a chilly and interesting night in the city of Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre. Mr Eric Teniola, then a reporter at the Nigerian Tribune, had one of his familiar and fascinating encounters with the late Dr Chuba Okadigbo, who took time to enlighten him on a concept that was then unfamiliar in Nigeria’s political lexicon: zoning.

According to a piece written by the veteran journalist and published in one of Nigeria’s newspapers prominent for fast and deep investigative reports on May 1, 2022, titled: ‘Zoning and the political history of Nigeria,’ the late political scientist demystified the idea of zoning using the country’s political situation at the time.

Okadigbo, in his characteristic style, explained to Teniola that zoning or power rotation in Nigerian politics was designed to ensure that no part of the country was left out in the political agenda of the party.

Teniola stated: “He (Okadigbo) said the presidency (at the time) would go to the area we now refer to as the North-West, while the vice presidency would go to Imo and Anambra States, which we now refer to as the South-East. He added that the presidency of the Senate would go to Cross Rivers or Rivers, which we now refer to as part of South-South, while the speaker of the House of Representatives will go to the Middle Belt. The chairmanship of the party will go to what we now know as the South-West, while the national secretary will go to what we now regard as the North-East.”

Nearly 47 years after Okadigbo’s political lesson, the opposite appears to be playing out in Nasarawa State, where Nasarawa South is facing what many consider as glaring marginalisation in the face of zoning.

Although zoning was initially conceived to promote equity and national inclusion in Nigeria, it is now, in some instances, being used as a tool for exclusion and political entitlement.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, Nasarawa West and Nasarawa North, which have governed for a combined 20 years have refused to relinquish their stronghold on the state in favour of Nasarawa South.

The situation is further worsened by the fact that, last weekend, former All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, made a case for the 2027 governorship to be once again zoned to Nasarawa West. This is despite the fact that coming from Nasarawa West, he became the first executive governor of the state in 1999.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting of the APC in Nasarawa West senatorial zone held in Keffi, Adamu, like a child unwilling to give an adult a bite of his favourite candy, said the 2027 governorship should go to Nasarawa West.

Adamu strengthened his case by saying the purpose of the meeting was to build consensus and mobilise support for the zone’s quest to produce the next governor.

“Keffi zone governed for eight years, Lafia for twelve. Akwanga is currently serving its second and final term. Therefore, the western (Keffi) zone should produce the next governor in 2027,” he said.

Let it be known that the zone in question also had ministers for 10 years non-stop, including Mohammed Abdullahi, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim and Ibrahim Jibril, now Emir of Nasarawa Emirate.

Against this background, observers were quick to express dismay over Adamu’s statement, saying zoning is being used as a political tool to short-change a specific region in the state.

One such individual is the State Coordinator of the Youth Wing Movement for MAAL, Hasan OgiriDoma, who described Adamu’s remark as “a calculated shortcut for individuals who lack the structure or political will to earn the trust of the entire state. There is no constitutional provision nor any binding political agreement that mandates zoning in Nasarawa State.”

He said leadership should be earned based on merit, capacity and a track record of service, not on sentimental appeals to geography.

“The people of Nasarawa have consistently demonstrated maturity in choosing leaders based on consensus and performance, not coercion,” Doma said.

Also, public affairs analyst, Mr Ladan Idi, lamented the current situation in Nasarawa, saying its current leaders do not have the love of the people of Nasarawa South.

Hear him speak: “Before I was in support of the power to be shifted to Keffi Zone, but I withdrew due to marginalisation of the Nasarawa South by this current administration.

“For example, in terms federal and state appointments, Keffi Zone has the following appointments: DG of humanitarian, Chairman Federal Mortgage Bank, Chairman Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission, a minister, Chairman of Public Complaints Commission.

“At the state level. They have Speaker of the state House of Assembly, state accountant general, secretary to the state government. Government should come out and tell us the sin of the people of Nasarawa South.

“During the gubernatorial election, Nasarawa South gave more votes than any other zone. The political bigwigs from Nasarawa South were demoralised and most of the political appointees from Nasarawa South are politicians.

“If really the government of Nasarawa State needs the support of the people of Nasarawa South to support government’s choice of candidate from Keffi zone, government should make sure to balance the appointments or else we will equally support one of our brothers from Nasarawa South.”

Doma and Ladan’s positions should not be downplayed, given that the current political situation in Nasarawa could result in a divisive outcome.

As a leading diversity and inclusion expert, Verna Myers, once said: “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”

Two years to the 2027 governorship race, Nasarawa South should not only be invited, it must be given a fair and equal chance. Reason: it is only then can the people of the region feel respected and accepted.

• Mbachu, a political scientist, sent his piece from Abuja